| Tim Byrdak | |
|---|---|
 Byrdak with theHouston Astros in 2009 | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: (1973-10-31)October 31, 1973 (age 52) Oak Lawn, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 7, 1998, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 26, 2013, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 13–13 |
| Earned run average | 4.35 |
| Strikeouts | 326 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Timothy Christopher Byrdak (born October 31, 1973) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He has pitched for theKansas City Royals,Baltimore Orioles,Detroit Tigers,Houston Astros andNew York Mets ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). Arelief pitcher, Byrdak attendedRice University where he playedcollege baseball.
Byrdak was drafted by theKansas City Royals in the fifth round of the1994 MLB draft out ofRice University.[1] He made his MLB debut as a reliever against theNew York Yankees on August 7, 1998.[1] In parts of three seasons with the Royals, he was 0–4 with an 8.27 ERA in 48 games.[1] However, he did pick up his first career save on July 4, 1999, against theCleveland Indians.[2]
He signed as a minor league free agent with the Indians on February 19, 2001.[1] He only appeared in four games with the AAABuffalo Bisons in 2001 and 11 with theKinston Indians andAkron Aeros in 2002 due to injury issues.
In 2003, he pitched in theNorthern League with theGary Southshore Railcats and theJoliet Jackhammers.
While playing for the Rail Cats, he faced 77-year-oldMinnie Miñoso leading off the game atSt. Paul on July 16, 2003, and got a walk.[3] The plate appearance marked Minoso's seventh decade of professional baseball, and Byrdak was quoted in the "Scorecard" section ofSports Illustrated on his impressions on facing the formerWhite Sox star.
He signed as a minor league free agent with theSan Diego Padres on January 30, 2004, and made 20 appearances for the AAAPortland Beavers, where he was 3–0 with a 5.45 ERA.
He was traded to theBaltimore Orioles on June 22, 2004, and pitched for theOttawa Lynx in 2004 and 2005. Byrdak made his first appearance in the Majors in five years when the Orioles purchased his contract and he appeared against the Indians on July 2, 2005. He made 57 appearances for the Orioles Major League team in 2005 and 2006, with a 1–1 record and 5.88 ERA.[1]
He signed as a free agent with theDetroit Tigers on November 17, 2006. Prior to the 2007 season, Byrdak developed aforkball, a type of pitch that he had previously not thrown. This enabled him to throw three pitches (along with afastball andcurveball).
In his Detroit debut, Byrdakstruck out five of six batters in the heart of the powerfulBoston Red Sox lineup, including an inning-ending curve to whichDavid Ortiz struck out looking. He pitched in 39 games for the Tigers, and was 3–0 with a 3.20 ERA.[1]
He signed as a free agent with theHouston Astros on April 3, 2008. In three seasons with the Astros, he was 5–5 with a 3.53 ERA in 199 appearances.[1]
On September 28, 2010, Byrdak surrendered a walk-off home run toCincinnati Reds right fielderJay Bruce that clinched the Reds the National League Central division title.[4][5]
On January 21, 2011, Byrdak signed with theNew York Mets. That season, he had a 2–1 record and 3.82 ERA. Despite some discussion about a possible trade,[6] He was re-signed following the season.
Byrdak had surgery to repair a torn meniscus on March 13, 2012. He was scheduled to miss six weeks.[7] However, onOpening Day, April 5, 2012, Byrdak made his season debut and struck out the only two batters he faced, preserving the Mets 1–0 victory.[8] Through June 16 he had a 2–0 record and 3.44 ERA.[1]
Between May 6 and May 22, 2012, Byrdak appeared in 12 games and retired the only batter he faced in all 12 appearances. These included 5 strikeouts, 1 ground out, and 6 fly outs. This is tied for the third longest streak of games appeared in without allowing a base runner.[9]
On August 6, 2012, it was announced that Byrdak had suffered an anterior capsule injury in his left shoulder.[10] He did not pitch at all for the rest of the season.
On November 26, 2012, Byrdak re-signed with the Mets on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Aside from major league baseball Byrdak works at Tyler Thompson's Elite Sports Facility in Lockport, IL and gives pitching lessons. Tim is married with four children and resides inLockport, Illinois during the off-season.[citation needed]
· Baseball Almanac
